Under $100: Boquete, Panama

No matter where you are staying in Boquete, Sugar & Spice is an easy find and a great place to start your day. The sugar is a nod to the wonderful baking they do each and every day for those with a sweet tooth or not looking for a big breakfast. Tough to tell what the spice bit is for beyond the expression, but they make solid huevos rancheros with a nice selection of Panamanian bottled sauces as well as a house-made one. The coffee selection is fantastic and served in individual French presses. The patio is where you want to eat and it’s surprisingly cozy given its proximity to the Pan-American Highway.

The fist half of lunch is going to simply be a picnic, so either put in an order to take away for lunch or walk up to what approximates the square of Boquete and either go a bit cheaper and prepare your picnic at Romero or head to one of two cute places on the main street of town to put an imported selection of meats and cheeses together to accompany your bread from Sugar & Spice.

Since you’re at the main square, a taxi will be no trouble to find. Ask to be taken to Las Tres Cascadas; that should run you about $13 each way. Alternatively, there are buses available to Bajo Mono for $3 from the center of town.

When you arrive, you’ll cross a suspension bridge and then it will resemble someone’s garden. Pay $7 for access and the hike to three falls begins. At any point, stop and have lunch. The third fall means you’re essentially done. When you get down to where you paid your entrance fee, purchase a cold beer before heading back into Boquete.

Once you find a cab, make sure to tell the driver you want to go to Milky Burger. Don’t worry — if you don’t fancy a burger, they don’t serve them. You’re there for the best fried chicken in Panama and quite possibly Central America. There is a store next door to grab a beer, water, soda or bottle of rum.

Take chicken home with you for the next day, because you’ll still have plenty of money for dinner at the Fish House. You will get you a great selection and still (barely) keep under budget. The Fish House is across the street from Sugar & Spice.